Optimism is once again bubbling at Borussia Dortmund as the club embarks on a fresh campaign, eager to reclaim a style and spirit that seemed to have faded in recent years. Head coach Niko Kovač, speaking from the team’s training facilities, summed up the mood succinctly: "Overall, we are mixing a good team." He went on to explain that after the departure of four players, the club has bolstered the squad with a blend of promising youngsters and a seasoned professional, while retaining the core framework of experienced personnel – the goalkeeper, central defenders and a key midfielder.
In his view, this approach is about rebuilding the BVB identity that once defined the team, drawing heavily on the club’s storied past. The new signings are intended to reignite the brand of football that has long thrilled the fans packed into the famous Yellow Wall. Dortmund’s hallmark has always been a high‑tempo, counter‑pressing brand of play – a kind of rock‑and‑roll approach that surged under Jurgen Klopp’s early tenure. In recent seasons, however, the club drifted toward a more cautious, possession‑heavy style, leaning on older, perhaps less dynamic acquisitions in a bid to secure Champions League qualification.
That shift felt out of step with the club’s DNA, and many supporters felt the soul of Dortmund was being diluted. Kovač highlighted the arrival of 27‑year‑old Dutch midfielder Joey Veerman from PSV Eindhoven as the experienced addition that will anchor the midfield. Yet it is the arrival of two Greek wingers – the eye‑catching Giannis Konstantelias and the 18‑year‑old prodigy Konstantin Karetsas – that has truly set the fanbase buzzing.
In the recent Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, Konstantelias entered the second half against Bayern Munich and immediately pressed high, threatening the Bavarian defence and almost sparking a comeback from a two‑goal deficit. His pace and willingness to take on defenders embody the kind of attacking flair Dortmund supporters crave. Norwegian international Julian Ryerson, who joined Dortmund last season, expressed his optimism after the match, saying, "It looks positive, yeah. We also had some good players last year but I hope it takes us to a new level, of course.
I hope and I think that we are on a good path." His comments underline a broader sentiment within the squad: a belief that the new arrivals can lift the team to a higher plateau. The departure of key figures such as Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt, who had become symbols of Dortmund’s attacking potency, leaves a noticeable void. Kovač acknowledged the challenge, stating, "We need to replace these goals, it is clear.
Of course, when you buy new players, you never know if it is going to work or not." This uncertainty is part of the excitement surrounding the rebuild. The club’s new sporting director, Ole Börk, has also signalled ambition, noting that expectations are high, especially for the two Greek wingers, who possess "big talent" and the potential to become game‑changing assets.
Kovač’s managerial pedigree includes a German Cup triumph with Eintracht Frankfurt and a domestic double with Bayern Munich, achievements that demonstrate his capacity to win silverware. Nevertheless, his tactical reputation is often described as pragmatic rather than flamboyant. He has experimented with inverting wing‑backs and shifting formations, but his approach is generally viewed as utilitarian, focused on efficiency and physical preparation.
When asked about his football philosophy, Kovač replied, "If someone likes my style, that is up to you. For me, we are successful. And I think that, together, since we arrived, we did a very good job. As a coach, I think you need to see what kind of players you have, what situation you have, and you must always adapt." Kovač arrived at Dortmund in late January 2025, when the club was languishing in the lower half of the Bundesliga table and appeared to have lost its identity.
The team’s performances were erratic, and European qualification seemed a distant dream. Dortmund’s chief executive, Carsten Cramer, later praised Kovač’s impact, recalling the club’s dire position before his appointment and the subsequent rise to Champions League contention. "Imagine what happened when we hired him one‑and‑a‑half years ago. We were in regions we never should be and he brought us to the Champions League," Cramer said, adding that Kovač’s dedication to the black‑and‑yellow colours made him a perfect fit for the club.
One of Kovač’s early tactical adjustments involved moving from a back‑four to a back‑five after the first few games, recognizing that the initial system was not delivering the desired stability. He also placed a strong emphasis on physical conditioning, arguing that a fitter squad makes better decisions on the pitch.
"Without those physical abilities, you are calculating. Should I run backwards?
Should I run forward? Should I defend? Should I attack?" he explained.
"If you are fitter, you just do it." These changes yielded immediate dividends. Dortmund climbed to fourth place by the end of that season and then secured a second‑place finish the following year, narrowing the gap to Bayern Munich from 25 points in Kovač’s first season to 16 points in his second. While the distance remains significant, the progress signals that Dortmund are moving in the right direction.
Kovač is realistic about the challenge, noting that a title challenge requires not only Dortmund to raise their level but also Bayern to stumble. Recent history has shown that Bayern cannot be taken for granted; they missed out on the league in 2023 and 2024, with Bayer Leverkusen ending their long‑standing dominance. Looking ahead, the blend of Kovač’s disciplined, fitness‑focused methodology with the raw potential of the new Greek wingers and other emerging talents creates a compelling narrative.
The club’s fans hope that this synthesis will translate into more decisive performances, a return to the exhilarating, high‑pressing football that made the Yellow Wall famous, and perhaps, eventually, a genuine challenge for the Bundesliga crown. As Kovač himself puts it, "I do not like to speak first and then work.
I think the opposite way is better," a modest yet confident stance that captures the spirit of a club poised for renewal.